Top MLB Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Monday, September 12th (2022)
Monday’s nine-game MLB slate allows bettors to make money early, as the Texas Rangers and Miami Marlins play the opener of their doubleheader in the afternoon slate. However, we have our eyes set elsewhere with a moneyline and runline bet to start our week off positively.
Here are our best bets for Monday’s MLB action. (Odds courtesy of DraftKings)
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet >>
Houston Astros vs. Detroit Tigers RL
With the attention focused on Aaron Judge’s home run total and Albert Pujols’ pursuit of 700, the casual fan may not be aware of the historic streak that Houston’s Framber Valdez (14-5, 2.67) is on. Valdez has made 23 consecutive quality starts, which is the Major League record for a left-handed pitcher and ties Jack Taylor’s streak from 1902 for the fourth-most all-time.
Valdez is not just going deep into games and limiting runs, as he has also struck out at least eight batters in four of his previous five starts. He keeps the ball in the yard, with just two games allowing home runs in his last ten outings. In addition, Valdez has been much better on the road this season, with a 9-2 record and 2.24 ERA in 15 road starts versus a 5-3 record with a 3.21 ERA in 11 home starts.
The Astros are 7-1 in their last eight road games against left-handed starting pitchers, so we do not believe Eduardo Rodriguez (3-4, 4.13) can match zeros with Valdez for long enough. On the other hand, Detroit is 0-8 in its last eight games against AL West opponents with winning records, and a big win should be in store for Houston tonight.
Bet: Houston Astros -1.5 Runs (-110 at DraftKings)
Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Cincinnati Reds ML
The Reds are 21-7 in their last 28 home meetings against the Pirates, and Pittsburgh is fading fast to end the season with two wins in their previous eight games. While Mike Minor (4-10, 5.70) got off to a 1-10 start with a 6.31 ERA through August 15th, he has won his last three decisions and allowed two or fewer earned runs in three consecutive starts for the first time this season. Minor has led the team to three victories in his previous four starts, including a 9-5 win over Pittsburgh three weeks ago.
The Pirates rank 26th or worse in wRC+, wOBA, K%, and OPS in the last 30 days against left-handed pitching. Meanwhile, Bryse Wilson’s (2-8, 6.11) strikeout percentage is down nearly 6% from a career-high two seasons ago, and he ranks in the seventh percentile or worse in hard-hit contact, K%, xSLG, average exit velocity, and xBA.
Bet: Cincinnati Reds ML (-140 at DraftKings)
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Mike Spector is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @MikeSpector01.